Of Religious Communion Private and Public, Title page – Preface
Of Religious COMMVNION Private, & Publique. With the silenceing of the clamours raysed by Mr Thomas Helvvisse agaynst our reteyning the Baptism receaved in Engl: & administering of Bapt: vntounto Infants. As also a Survey of the confession of fayth published in certayn Conclusions by the remaynders of Mr Smithes company.
The simple beleeveth every vvord: but the prudent looketh vvell to his goeing.
Prov. 14. 15.
By IOHN ROBINSON.
Printed Anno 1614.
The Preface.
THere passed out, some while since, a defamatory libell vnderunder the names of Charles Lawn, & three other his brethren in evill; but certainly penned by some other persons, whose greater knowledg did arm their cruell hatred the more to hurt: makeing them fathers of that generation, whose teeth are as swordes, & their iawteeth as knives to Prov. 30. 14▪devour the afflicted from of the earth, & the pore from among men. Agaynst whom, & whose freinds durst I vse the same liberty, in publishing to the world their personall corruptions, which I know, & could soon learn by the testimony of honester men, then these informers, they who have written of others, what hath pleased them, should read that which would not please them, of their own, if not of themselves. But God forbid. My desire is rather to pacify, then further to alienate affections: remembring Christs instruction vntounto his Disciples, to blesse those Math. 44.that curse them: to do good to those that harm them: & to pray for those that persequute them. Besides, in following their course, I should for the faults of a few corrupter persons, wrong the credits of many honest, & innocent men: for whose sakes I would rayther cover the others faylings, then for them, blemish the credit of the rest. But herein speciall respect is to be had to the common truthes of the Lord Iesus by them & vsus, acknowledged: vppon the honour whereof had they been but half so bent, as vppon our disgrace, they would not thus have gratifyed the common adversaryes thereof, even theirs, & ours: & with them, the Atheists & Epicures in the land; by whom their book is most affected: blessing themselves in their professed contempt of God, & of all religion, by the faylings of those (whether truely, or falsely suggested, they regarde not) who professe his more speciall fear, & service: & concludeing, that all others are as ill as themselves, though more covertly. It is the spiders disposition, so she may entangle the silly flyes in her web, to weav out her own bowels.
This libell it hath pleased divers persons of note for learning, & Zeal, to countenance with their wryteings of divers kyndes. Amongst the rest, Mr W: Ames, fearing belike, lest eyther it should want credit, or I discredit by the accusations in it against the persons of other men in other Churches (which though they were all true, as I know some of them to be wholy false, & others impudently published by such as were themselves cheif agents in them, yet did no more concern me, & the Church with me, then did the abuses in the Ch: of Corinth, the Ch: at Rome; or those in some of the 7 Churches in Asia, the rest, which were free from them) hath published to the world, in the body of that book, without my consent, privity, or least suspition of such dealing, certayn private letters passing between him, and me, about private communion betwixt the members of the true visible Ch: and others, though he take advantage, and occasion by certain generall wordes of myne to alter the state ef the question. The occasion of which passages if I should also publish, I am sure he would not like it, nor had cause.
Now as I neyther am, nor would he thought in sensible of this vnchristian enmity, and… violent opposition by them against vsus in the practise of those things, which themselves, as their wryteings testify, do so far approve; so think I it a Preface very convenions for my present purpose, to communicate with others such grounds, as vppon which they seem to rayse the same.
And first, all oppositions in religion are caryed vsually with violence, as wherein men have speciall perswasion they please God, in that their speciall work of Conscience and Zeal for him, and his truth. And as men are in daunger to mistake errour for truth, so to prosequute the same with wrath, and indignation, instead of true Zeal of God. And I do much entreat, & warn those men in the fear of the Lord, to beware that in-stead of Zeal against our supposed errours, they nourish not in their hearts, wrath, and hatred against… our persons. Which is a great iniquity where it is found, and most contrary vntounto love, and so vntounto God who is love; & the breaking of the whole law, which love fulfilleth.
But besides this generall, they take more speciall occasion of offence at vsus, & our separation, by which we cary our differences; as wherein we do not onelyonly in word, but even really & indeed reprove their state, & standing, as vnlawfull: & such, as we rayther chuse all calamityes, by losse of country, freinds, riches, credit, liberty, yea & life is self, then by continuance therein, to withould the truth of God in vnrighteousnes, & vphould the chayr of Apostacy, and so to pull down wrath from heaven vppon our heades. Which our sequestration is yet the more offensive vntounto them, by how much the nearer we were, & yet are, in many things, vnited: the contentions of brethren being as the barres of a castle: as also for that their party for the reformation of…ov. …. 19. their pretended nationall Iudah is thereby weakened. And as any (accordeing to the proverb) may easily fynde a staffe, to beat a dog withall, so do men easily take occasion to lay load vppon vsus, who are for our fewnes in number, & mean-nes of condition, so contemptible in their eyes: & against whom they have all advantages for treading vppon vsus (save the truth) which they can desire. But the L: Iesus in teaching, that the way to life is narrow, which few fynde: & that to the pore the gospell is preached, …ath. 7. …. …. 11. & 6.& therevppon, that he is blessed who is not offended at him, doth plainly forewarn all his servants of this offence. Others there are also, who whatsoever they boast of the Scriptures, have for the most parte, a traditionall faith, & religion: & as Naaman the Assirian would not beleev that there could be any better waters then the rivers …King. 12.of Damascus, so neyther do they think it possible, that there should be any purer manner of worshipping God, then that, to which they have been alwaies vsed: vntounto which they are so superstitiously addicted, as they are ready to think it an hereticall way for any man to step out of the beaten trod of their teachers traditionary religion.
There are also beside all these, that have their politique ends, & respects, for which …hey affect vpposition against vsus. Some, (of the Prelats faction) to gratify their Lords. and Maisters, at whose devotion they stand, and against whom we principally witnes: …thers, though they like not the Byshops, yet think it a point of their wisdom to take, and …ould vp professed opposition against vsus, that vnderunder it as a buckler they may cover their own irregularity, and make their iealouse Maisters beleev, that they cannot but …e indifferently well affected towards them, being so vehemently bent against vsus. Yea, others perceaving that their own grounds do in the iudgmēt of others wise, & vnpartiall, directly lead to the way, in which we walk, and yet seing it not to be for their purposes …o have the world so to esteem of them, do vndoubtedly, streyn, & wring the neck of theyr Consciences, and courses, to look the coutrary way, that they may not be thought to have their faces towards vsus.
Lastly, there are, who fearing belike to be overcome of the truth we professe, if with …uiet, & calm thoughtes they come to consider of it, & not haveing hearts to embrace it, do set themself against it tumultuously; like those cowards, who fearing the force of …heir adversaries, do think by debaseing, & revileing of them, to encourage their own faint, & feeble hearts against them.
But good had it been for the truth, if at it offences had onelyonly been taken by the adversaryes thereof, and not also given by them, who have professed it: and those both so publique, as they cannot be concealed, and so great, as they can receav no sufficient excuse. Yet are there notwithstanding divers things (and those such as will seem, I doubt not, of weight, to the wise in heart) which both iustly may, and ne…essarily must be observed about those matters: whether offensive contentions, or …ther personall evilles, layd to our charge, and published to the world against …s.
First then, and in the generall; the publishers of those accusations cannot be vnsuspected of any reasonable man: being such generally, as are both enemyes to our pro…ession, and have eyther for their vnfaythfull Apostacy, or other scandalous sins, or …oth, been cast out of the Church and excommunicated. Now as, for the former, … is truely, and commonly sayd, that no person running away from his Mayster, will easily speak well of him: So doth experience confirm it, for the latter, …hat scarce any condemned in any court (how iustly soever) but will complayn eyther of the mallice of the evidence, or ignorance of the Iury, or iniustice of the Iudg. Condemned persons must repayr their own, by ruinateing the credits of …heir iudges.
More specially: and first, of the contentions which have faln out amongst the professours of this way. As Paul complayneth, that sin takeing occasion by the law, Rom. 7 8.wrought in him all manner of concupiscence: so indeed hath the mallice of Sa…han, and mans corruption taken occasion to work much evill of this kynde, by sundry good things specially found in the professours of this truth: as 1. by their knowiudg, 2. Zeal, & 3. liberty of the Gospelly.†1. Cor. I…dg,… 3. 1. Ch. 1. 5. 7. 11. Ch. 3. 3. Knowledg, saith the Apostle, puffeth vp: & hence was it, that the same Church to which he so wrytes, exceeding other Churches in knowledg, did also passe them in contentions, & strifes: So the Churches this way (which I may truely speak, & without boasting) goeing before other ordinary assemblyes in knowledg, are the more in daunger of contentions, without special… modesty, & watchfulnes. Ignorant persons, & peoples, are for the most parte, easily ruled, as being content to trust other men with their faith, & religion: neyther was there eve… so great peace in the Christian world (as it is called) as in the deepest darknes of popery. 2 dly, as the greatest Zeal for God is rightly found amongst Gods people, so is peace, & agreement greatly endaungered thereby, if it be not tempered with much wisdom, moderation, & brotherly forbearance: & that they consider not aright, that both themselves & others, are frayl men, & compassed about with much ignorance, & infirmity otherwise: who are therefore to study not onelyonly how to have that which they like, but also how to bear that in other men (if not intollerable) which they like not: otherwise, whilst men think by their Zeal to warm the house, they will burn in over their own, & other mens heades. 3ly, & lastly, they onelyonly, who enioy liberty, know how hard a thing it is to vse it aright. And when I see them in Engl: wondering at the dissentions in this way, methinkes I see two prisoners (being themselves fast chayned & manicled together by feet, & handes) wondering to see that other men (at liberty) walk not closer together thē they do. Theyr thraldome makes them vnequall Censurers of the abuse of our liberty. How many thousands are there, whose very hearts are fretted with the chaynes of their spirituall bondage? Yea how many severall factions of ministers are there, whose differences, if by servile fear they were not nipped in the bud, would bring forth no small both dissensions & divisions: as at this day wofull experiēce teacheth in the reformed Churches, whose dissentions do infinitely exceed all that ever hauehave been amongst is? As ignorance begot, so tyranny mainteyned the greatest peace, & vnity, when pope: sh iniquity most prevayled.
Now for personall offences; as we professe, & avow before all men, that, for our selves, we neyther receav, nor keep amongst vsus any persons not sanctifyed in their measure (… our discerning:) so do we not think our selves any way priveledged, eyther from the common infirmityes of Gods more worthy servants in all ages, or from the mallice of Sa than in thrusting vppon vsus false brethren vnawares: whose hypocrisy, & prophan… …ude 4.vsurpation of the Lords Covenant, & holy things, vntounto which they have no right, he often punisheth with scandalous sins, & so leadeth them out amongst the workers of iniquity. Which scandalles we could yet cover from the eyes of the world in a great measure, if we durst (as others do) eyther let sin rest vppon our brethren: o… Lev. 19. 7.sm…ther in a Consistory such offences, as are eyther publique, of their own nature, or … made by the offenders private impenitency: which because we dare not do, nor but rebuke …. Tim. …. 20.him openly, which so sinneth, & so iudg both his sin, & person (in which our pr…ce…dings, & dealings, new offences are also added often tymes) we do thereby lay open our own shame in the eyes of the world: & so walking in our simplicity, because we dare not be wise against the Lord Iesus Christ his order, & ordinances, we have in so great a measure our faults written in our foreheads, & are a wonder, & offence vntounto others, who are far better acquaynted with our faylings, then with their own.
But besides, if not above the rest, great offence hath been taken by many at our extream streytnes in respect of the order wherein we walk: & more specially for refuseing communion in the private, & personall exercises of religion with the better sorte in the assemblyes; as wherein we have not onelyonly made a separation from the wicked, & from the godly also in things vnlawfull, or vnlawfully performed, but even in their lawfull …actions. This Mr Ames calles the bitternes of separation: & for it, as it seems, thinkes it lawfull to cast vppon me the reproach of the sins of other Churches & persons, whether truely, or falsly layd to their charg, he knoweth not; as also to insinuate against …e, that I despise the wryteings of Iunius, & so of other learned men: as iustly asGrot… agayn… the Eng… Puritan… as he calles thē. others have layd to his charg the contempt of all antient wryters: wherein if men deal vniustly with him, & his freinds, let him see whether God deal not iustly, in rewardeing him as he hath served others.
For the matter of his letters, if I would strive with him about the Arguments, with whom I agree in the question, I could manifest (I doubt not) how he hath not dealt sufficiciētly in it. Whither or no there were in the assemblyes faythfull, & godly persons, & the same so appearing vntounto men, I never called into question, nor could without sinning greatly against myne own Conscience: the thing I feared, was the violation, &See fo… this A Iustific… Pag. 432. 433. …reach of order in the communion between the members of the true visible Church, & …hers out of that order, or in the contrary. Myne obiection hereabout Mr A: answereth not, but onelyonly makes light account of it, as a straung order, which is broken by saying Amen to a godly mans prayer. But all men know, that to set light … an Argument is no sufficient answer vntounto it. And many cases may be put in which …rder may be sinfully broken in communicateing even with a godly mans prayers; eyther …rivately, as if he will professedly offer vp the prayers of an excommunicate, detected …eretique, or other vngodly person: or publiquely if he perform the same, without a …ue, or by a false calling. Here was vse of a distinction of religious actions, into …ersonall, & Church actions: which if eyther Mr A: had observed vntounto me, orSee pag 1. my self then conceaved of, would have cleared the question to my conscience: & with which I did wholy satisfy my self in this matter, when God gave me once to observ it.
My iudgment therein, & the reasons of it, I have set down in the first parte of the …ook: vntounto which I bynde no man further to assent, then he sees ground from the Scrip…es. In it I oppose no Article of our confession: neyther was it the Authours …eaning, as it seemeth, further to conclude & professe separation then from communionArt. 31 … the publique worship, & administrations there: neyther do I herein oppose any …t order of any Church this way, to my knowledg. I my self, & the people with me …enerally, did separate from the formall state of the parrish assemblyes, in this perswsion, & so practised all the while we abode in Engl: as some there continuing, … done to this day: there haveing been also sundry passages between Mr Smith, & me about it: with whom I also refused to ioyn because I would vse my liberty in this point: & for which I was by some of the people with him excepted against, when I was chosen into office in this Church. Indeed afterwardes fyndeing them of other Churches, with whom I was most nearly ioyned, otherwise mynded for the most parte, I did thorough my vehement desire of peace, & weaknes withall, remit & loose of my former resolutions & did (to speak as the truth is) forget some of my former grounds; & so have passed out, vppon occasion, some Arguments against this practise. Which yet notwithstanding I have in the same place so set down, as all may see I was therein far from that, certaynty of perswasion, which I had & have of the common grounds of our separation: of which I think this no parte at all. But had my perswasion in it been fuller, then ever it was, I professe my self alwayes one of them, who still desire to learn further, or better, what the good will of God is. And I beseech the Lord from myne heart, that there may be in the men, (towards whom I desire in all things lawfull to enlarg my self) the like readines of mynde to forsake every evill way, & faythfully to embrace & walk in the truth they do, or may see, as by the mercy of God, there is in me; which as I trust it shalbe myne, so do I wish it may be their comfort also in the day of the Lord Iesus.
IOHN ROBINSON.